April 27, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:00 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Norman Katz, Selectmen Walter Joe Roach and David I. Grasfield and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M.
Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of April 7, 2004 and the Executive Session as presented.
Dog Park - Donation Account/Canine Corral Fund
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to establish an account for the Canine Corral Fund as requested by Animal Control Officer Diane A. Malcolmson, in her letter dated April 8, 2004.
Appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals
There was a brief discussion regarding which of the two candidates, Lee Wernick or Henry B. Greenberg, to appoint to the Zoning Board of Appeals. It was the consensus of the Board that they liked both candidates. Selectman Grasfield stated that, “I like Mr. Wernick....think Mr. Greenberg is the better candidate at this time.” Chair Katz stated that Mr. Wernick was very qualified to be on the Zoning Board of Appeals and that he has known him for many years.
VOTED: (Roach/Katz) Voted unanimously to appoint Lee Wernick as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, appointment to Expire: September 2005.
The Board directed that a letter be sent to Mr. Greenberg stating that the Board would consider appointing him at a later date when there is an opening.
Approve Banners
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the Sharon Lions Club for the dates of April 26 - May 2, 2004 (Second Position).
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve a banner for the First Baptist Church for the dates of June 7 - June 14, 2004 (Second Position).
Surplus Property
The Board reviewed Memo from Eric R. Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, dated April 22, 2004 re Surplus property. He listed eight vehicles with their mileage and condition (all poor), one mower and one hovercraft.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to declare the items within the April 22, 2004 Memo as Surplus Property to be auctioned off by the Town Treasurer.
Selectman Roach requested that the Town Administrator look into advertising a surplus Fire Engine on the Internet.
Homeland Security Funds
Selectman Grasfield noted letter from the Executive Office of Public Safety, dated April 20, 2004, stating that the Town is eligible to receive $12,820 in FY 2004 Homeland Security funds for Local Preparedness. Town Administrator Ben Puritz stated that this just came in and that Chief Bernstein and Chief Mann are collaborating on the proposal and application.
Public Hearing - Historical Commission and Historic District Commission
Selectman Grasfield noted the Public Hearing to discuss the Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article proposing Historic District III by the Historical Commission to be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at the Sharon High School Library.
Housing Partnership Committee
Selectman Grasfield noted letter from Alan D. Lury, dated April 20, 2004 re request for appointment to the Housing Partnership Committee.
Meals on Wheels
Selectman Grasfield noted letter from HESSCO Elder Services, dated April 22, 2004, seeking volunteers for regular home delivery of meals and/or lunch with the elders at any of a number of dining sites during the months of May. Contact person is Chandra Ganapathy at 781-784-4944.
Request for Out-of-State Training - Chief Bernstein
The Board reviewed Memorandum from Chief Bernstein, dated April 27, 2004 requesting permission for Out-of-State Training for two detectives to travel to New York City for NORPAC related training. The Total cost should not exceed $1,076.84.
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to authorize out-of-state training as requested by the Police Chief at a cost not to exceed $1,076.84.
Public Health Fish Consumption Advisory
The Board noted information from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services re Fish Consumption and Mercury Contamination. Town Administrator Ben Puritz noted that there is a Public Health Advisory re largemouth bass caught in Lake Massapoag and that there was a posting at the lake and on the internet to limit consumption.
Street Acceptances
The Board reviewed a Memo from Peter O’Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, dated April 27, 2004, re Street Acceptances: Inca Trail, Aztec Way, Burnt Bridge Road and Bramble Lane.
The Board reviewed the punch lists of outstanding items for the roadways proposed for acceptance at the 2004 Town meeting. It is stated that the roadways all have substantial bond money being held by the Town and the items outstanding are currently being worked on. Selectman Roach stated that a recommendation can be made at Town Meeting re anything really serious that is not completed
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to approve referring the streets to Town Meeting for acceptance subject to approval of Assistant Town Engineer Peter O’Cain.
Water Department Open House
Selectman Roach announced the Water Department Open House to be held on May 1, 2004 from 9 AM to 12 PM at Pumping Station No. 1, 5 Upland Road.
Recess - Executive Session
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Collective Bargaining and pending legal matters and at the conclusion thereof to return to Regular Session.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 6:30 P.M.
The Board reconvened at 7:30 P.M.
Southeast Regional School Assessments
Superintendent James Hager and Southeast Regional School Representative, Mindy Kemper, were present to ask for support for a Town Meeting warrant article to correct the disparity in assessments between the eight Towns that make up the region. The warrant article will support the regional agreement that will revert back to a previous formula of per pupil method of calculating the assessments. The formula was changed under the Ed Reform Act. All eight Towns would need to pass the article at its Town Meeting. Sharon presently has 19 students enrolled, and its assessment for FY’05 has been calculated to be $73,658. Mr. Hager discussed pending legislation that will seek a less than unanimous vote by the Towns to change the assessment formula.
Position on Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article
The Board voted on the following Annual Meeting Warrant Articles as follows:
1. Finance Committee Members
The Board took no position on this pro-forma article.
2. Act Upon Reports
The Board took no position on this pro-forma article.
3. Funds
The Board took no position on this pro-forma article.
4. Personnel Bylaw
The Board took a Positive Position (2 - 1 (Grasfield Neg - specific reasons)
5. Budgets/Compensation of Elected Officers
The Board took a Positive Position (2 - 1 (Grasfield Neg )
6. Norfolk County Retirement
The Board took a Positive Position - U
7. Annual Audit
The Board took a Positive Position - U
8. Unemployment
The Board took a Positive Position - U
Capital Outlay Articles (with adjustments by FinCom)
9 . School Committee
The Board took a Positive Position (2 - 1 Grasfield Neg - favors lesser amount)
10. Public Works - Streets & Sidewalks
Selectman Roach recused himself as Sidewalk project is on his street - Lakeview.
The Board voted 1 Positive (Katz) and 1 Negative.
11. Public Works - Vehicles & Equipment
The Board took a Positive Position - U
12. Recreation
The Board took a Positive Position - U(Grasfield commented that he hoped he would not see bundling of items again).
13. Wilber School Stabilization
The Board took a Positive Position (2 - 1 Grasfield Neg - favors lesser amount)
14. Fire
The Board took a Positive Position - U
15. Police
The Board took a Positive Position - U (excludes Photo ID)
16. Data Processing
The Board took a Negative Position - U
l7. Clause 41C - Increase Exemption
The Board took a Positive Position - U
18. Tax Relief/Senior Citizens
The Board took no position (Legislation Pending)
19 Clause 41A - Criteria Changes - Petition General Court
The Board took a Positive Position - U
20. Property Tax Work-Off Program
The Board took a Positive Position - U
21. Veteran's Exemption
The Board took a Positive Position for the 100% Exemption (Delete 41C ½ per Town Counsel) - U
22. Community Preservation Act
The Board took a Positive Position for 1% with $100,000 exempt) 2 - 1 (Grasfield Neg)
23. Community Preservation Committee
The Board took a Positive Position - U
24. Wireless Communications Bylaw Revision
The Board deferred taking a position till update review - U
25. Design & Construction Projects/SBC - School Department
The Board took a Positive Position - 2 - 1 (Grasfield Neg)
26. Petition Article _ Absentee Ballots/Voting Town Meeting - Samuel Zisblatt
The Board took a Negative Position - U
27. Third Historical District - Historical Commission
The Board took a Positive Position - 2 - 1 (Grasfield Neg)
28. Naming of Land and Buildings - Historical Commission
The Board took a Positive Position - U
29. Reallocate contributions to the Southeastern Regional Vocational-Technical School
The Board took a Positive Position - U
30. Chapter 90 _ Street Funding
The Board took a Positive Position - U
31. Revolving Funds _ Omnibus Article
The Board took a Positive Position - U
32. Non-Criminal Violation for Septic Violations - Board of Health
The Board took a Positive Position - U
33. Noise Ordinance
The Board took a Negative Position - U
34. Noise - Police Regulations
The Board took a Positive Position - U
35. Street Acceptances _ Aztec Way, Inca Trail, Bramble Lane, Burnt Bridge Road
The Board took a Positive Position - U
36. Department Head Salaries - Petition Article - Richard Kramer
The Board took a Negative Position - U
Special Election
1. Water Protection Land Acquisition - Maskwonicut Street
The Board took a Positive Position - 2 - 0 (Grasfield Abstained)
2. Parcel “S” Substitution of Land - ConCom
The Board took a Positive Position - U
Adjourn the Meeting
VOTED: (Roach/Grasfield) Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
Roach, aye; Grasfield, aye; and Katz, aye
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